UNT Health Science Center appoints new faculty members

New researchers and professors bring an international body of knowledge to the University of North Texas Health Science Center and build upon strengths in cancer research, health disparities and osteopathic manipulative medicine.

Anuja Ghorpade, PhD, has joined the Health Science Center as a researcher for the Health Institutes of Texas (HIT), a member of the Texas Center for Health Disparities, vice chair and professor of cell biology and genetics, and Director of the Brain Bank which will study the effects of AIDS and Alzheimer’s disease on the brain. She received a doctorate from the National Institute of Immunology in New Delhi, India; a Master of Science degree in biotechnology from Maharaja Sayajirav University of Baroda in Gujarat, India; and a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from University of Bombay in Mumbai, India.

Shrawan Kumar, PhD, has been added as a researcher for HIT, professor of manipulative medicine and as Director of Research in the Physical Medicine Institute (PMI). The mission of PMI is to promote research, education and clinical practice in the prevention, diagnoses, treatment and rehabilitation of neuromusculoskeletal disease research of all ages. Kumar received a doctorate in human biology and an honorary doctorate in sciences in recognition of his lifetime work from University of Surrey in Guildford, U.K., and a post-doctoral research fellowship in engineering sciences from University of Dublin, Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.

Rita Patterson, PhD, has been added as a researcher for HIT, professor of manipulative medicine, and as the Director of the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Physical Medicine Core Research Facility. Patterson earned a doctorate in biomedical sciences from the University of Texas Medical Branch, a Master of Engineering degree in bioengineering from Texas A&M University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering sciences from Baylor University.

Sanjay Awasthi, MD, an oncologist has joined the Health Science Center as the Associate Vice President of Clinical Research and as a professor of molecular biology and immunology. Sanjay Awasthi earned his doctorate from in medicine from UT Southwestern in Dallas and a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from UT Austin.

Sharad S. Singhal, PhD, a member of the research team for Sanjay Awasthi, has been added as an associate professor of molecular biology and immunology. Singhal was awarded a doctorate in biochemistry, a Master of Science in organic chemistry, and a Bachelor of Science in chemistry, zoology and botany, all from Agra University in India.

Sushma Yadav, PhD, a member of Sanjay Awasthi’s team, has been added as an assistant professor of molecular biology and immunology. Yadav received a doctorate and a Master of Science degree in biosciences from JMI University in New Delhi, India, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, botany, zoology, history of science, and English from the University of Delhi in New Delhi, India.

Yogesh Awasthi, PhD, has joined the Health Science Center as a professor of molecular biology and immunology. The elder Awasthi, father of Sanjay Awasthi, earned a doctorate in chemistry, a Master of Science degree in organic chemistry, and a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, all from the University of Lucknow in India.

Rajendra Sharma, PhD, a member of Yogesh Awasthi’s research team, has been added as a research associate professor of molecular biology and immunology. Sharma received a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Rajasthan in Jaipur, India, a Master of Science degree in organic chemistry and a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Jodhpur in India.

Abha Sharma, PhD, a member of Yogesh Awasthi’s research team, has been added as a research assistant professor of molecular biology and immunology. Sharma received a doctorate in biophysics from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, India, as well as a Master of Science degree in biochemistry and a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, botany and zoology from Poona University in India.